At the Ministry for Women, our people are a talented and diverse team who bring with them a range of different experiences and backgrounds.
The Ministry for Women is guided by three principles – our kō wai mātou – that explore how we work together as individuals, teams, and as one to achieve the best outcomes for women and girls in New Zealand.
- Kia Māia: we are brave and courageous in all we do.
- Tūia Mai: we embrace and support wāhine from all communities.
- Whakamanawa: we lead with heart to achieve the best outcomes.
The ko wai mātou are visually represented throughout our work by tāniko patterns inspired by woven cloaks and atua wāhine like Hine-tītama (a Māori goddess who shines light onto the world) and Hineteiwaiwa (the goddess of weaving).
Exciting career opportunities are available for talented, energetic, and innovative people who want to make a positive difference in the lives of women and girls in Aotearoa New Zealand.
We are committed to providing a working environment that values inclusion, diversity, and accessibility. We embrace the unique perspective and capabilities of our current and future employees, which will help us to improve outcomes for women and girls.
While many of our roles are policy-focused, from time to time there are opportunities in other areas such as human resources, finance, IT, administrative and support roles, communications and engagement, data and insights, the Nominations Service, and Ministerial servicing.
We offer on-the-job career development, secondments within the Ministry and to other government agencies, learning and development opportunities, and leadership training.
If you have any support or access requirements, we encourage you to tell us when you apply so that we can assist you through the process.
Current vacancies
Senior Policy Advisor
- Full time permanent position based in Wellington CBD
- Salary range: $102,024 to $123,649
Applications close at 9am, Friday 10 April 2026.
Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role
This role presents a great opportunity to leverage your extensive policy experience and work across a broad and interesting strategic work programme. Our work spans economic empowerment, health and wellbeing, safety, and leadership, and our international work protects and promotes the rights of wāhine women and kōtiro girls.
In this role you will provide quality analysis and advice on complex issues to government, and across the sector, making effective use of data and insights and taking an end-to-end policy approach, including implementation and delivery. You’ll work collaboratively with the other members of the policy and engagement teams and across the Ministry, to design and test policy and delivery options. You will also develop strong networks and working relationships with other agencies and represent the Ministry on inter-agency working groups.
Ko koe tēnei | About you
The ideal person for this role will be an experienced policy professional with expertise in policy analysis and with an interest in designing, delivering, and testing policy options. You will also have excellent policy writing skills with the ability to provide quality papers and briefings to Ministers. You’ll enjoy working on a broad programme of policy projects and have the skills and experience to turn a ‘great idea’ into a workable solution. You can articulate the value of new ideas to decision makers and broader stakeholders and can visualise, interpret and communicate data and insights to a diverse audience.
In addition to policy analysis and policy writing skills, you will bring:
- Experience developing and designing a range of policy options.
- Strategic and tactical nous and understanding of political context.
- Coaching and mentoring expertise.
- A sound understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the ability to apply this within the work that you do.
Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to apply
To apply, send your completed application form, a cover letter outlining why you are interested in the role, and your CV highlighting relevant skills, knowledge and experience to the Chief People Officer, via recruitment@women.govt.nz.